Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources is doubling down on sustainable and ethical antler gathering with a mandatory ethics course for shed hunters active from Jan. 1 to May 31 each year. According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, this course is designed to educate participants on minimizing stress to wildlife and preserving their natural habitats during the vulnerable late winter and early spring months. While shed hunting in Utah is a beloved family activity, it's important to note that the survival of big game animals during these lean times can be critically impacted by human disturbances.
"During winter, big game animals, especially deer, often have a difficult time obtaining enough nutritional food," Rusty Robinson, DWR, Once-in-a-Lifetime Species Coordinator, told Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. "Being disturbed briefly once or twice isn't too significant, but we have over 20,000 people who routinely shed hunt in Utah each year, so ongoing, repeated disturbances can be detrimental to deer." This sense of care is reflective of Utah's commitment to its wildlife and environment, regulating engagement during sensitive times for the state’s deer, elk, and moose populations.
Those who complete the free online course are obliged to either download the digital certificate of completion to the DWR Hunting and Fishing app or print it out to carry in the field. And before you consider picking up that impressive "deadhead," be sure to use the Utah Deadhead Reporter app to report potentially poached remains. Natural resources officers may allow finders to keep the antlers if determined that the animal died from natural causes or other unsuspicious circumstances, as stated by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
